Effect of Prophylactic Mitomycin C on Corneal Endothelium Following Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy in Myopic Patients

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of prophylactic mitomycin C (MMC) on corneal endothelium to inhibit corneal haze formation post transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (T-PRK). METHODS: A total of 120 eyes of 60 patients with low, moderate, and high myopia were subjected to T-PRK with intraoperative application of MMC (0.02%) for 30–50s. Patients’ files were categorized into three groups according to ablation depths (if ≥100 µm) during T-PRK as follows: (1) Group A – low myopia without MMC, (2) Group B – low myopia with MMC, and (3) Group C – moderate/high myopia with MMC. Preoperative/surgical parameters and refractive outcomes were documented. Cell density (CD), number of cells (NUM), coefficient of variation, central corneal thickness (CCT), hexagonality (HEX/6A), average cell area (AVG), and its standard deviation (SD) were evaluated using specular microscopy preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Overall, 119 out of 120 eyes showed significant prevention of corneal haze. Groups A and C showed no significant changes in endothelial CD and NUM. Group B showed a non-significant reduction in CD. However, all three groups showed significant variations in HEX/6A, CCT, AVG, and SD. CONCLUSION: The MMC application did not significantly affect corneal endothelial density or number and can be used safely and effectively to prevent corneal haze following T-PRK in myopia.